St. Peter's Cemetery and Catacombs, Salzburg
St. Peter's Cemetery with catacombs in the clifff face behind.
Chapel of the Holy Cross and grave.
Angel and painted wood panels at a grave site.
Catacombs in the cliff face, with small windows.
Stairs to the catacombs.
Mural in the catacombs.
Altars in the catacombs.
Petersfriedhof, or St. Peter's Cemetery, is the oldest Christian graveyard in Salzburg, dating back to 1627. It is a worthy attraction in itself, but many visitors come to see the place where the Von Trapp family hid out in The Sound of Music.
What to See
Sheltered by the Mönchsberg and enclosed by elegant wrought-iron fences, the cemetery consists primarily of Baroque porticoes housing chapels of Salzburg's old wealthy families. Many of the aristocratic families of Salzburg lie buried here, along with many other notable figures.
The graves are lovingly tended by Salzburg families, decorated with candles, fir branches, and flowers. Pansies are the most popular flower, because their name means "thoughts."
In Crypt XXXI is the grave of Santino Solari, architect of the cathedral. Crypt XXXIX contains the tomb of Sigmund Haffner, a patron of Mozart. And Crypt LIV, by the catacombs, contains the remains of Mozart's sister, Nannerl, an exceptionally gifted musician herself. The same crypt has the body of Joseph Haydn's younger brother, Michael (his head is in an urn stored in St. Peter's Church).
The cemetery includes two notable chapels: the Romanesque Chapel of the Holy Cross and the 15th-century St. Margaret's Chapel.
The fascinating Christian catacombs carved in the rockface above the church cemetery are well worth a look. For a small admission fee, visitors can climb a steep set of stone-carved stairs and view several rooms with altars, faded murals, and inscriptions.
Quick Facts
| Type of site: | Cemetery; notable graves |
| Date: | 1627 |
| Address: | St. Peter Bezirk, Salzburg, Austria |
| Phone: | 0662/844578-0 |
| Bus: | 1 |
| Hours: | Daily dawn-dusk. |
| Cost: | Cemetery free. Catacombs € 1adults, €0.60 children |
Travel Resources
- Salzburg Hotel Reviews - unbiased reviews and ratings from travelers
- Salzburg Hostels & Guesthouses - budget lodging with no booking fees
- Salzburg Travel Forum - tips, advice, invaluable information
- Car Rentals in Salzburg - good deals on a large fleet from AutoEurope
- Austrian Railpass
- a money-saving option on train travel from RailEurope
Article Sources
- Personal visit (September 2004).
- St. Peter's Cemetery - Fodor's Vienna to Salzburg
- Petersfriedhof - Frommer's Austria
Location Map
Below is a location map and aerial view of St. Peter's Cemetery and catacombs (center marker). Using the buttons on the left, zoom in for a closer look or zoom out to get your bearings. Click and drag the map to move around. For a larger view, see our Salzburg Map or Google Earth download.
